Perspective

If you didn't see the Larry King interview with the Chapman family, you need to set aside 30 minutes, get on youtube and watch it. It's in 6 segments. I will only say that I hope to never experience the loss of a child, but should I ever go through a tragedy so deep, I pray that by the time it happens, my faith will be as firm as theirs. It is truly beautiful...

Girly Moment

Okay...most romantic movies are cute, and there are certain things that pull at my feminine heartstrings, but one of my top favorites of all time is The Notebook. It's on the family channel tonight, and I happened to sit and watch a few minutes of it. Every time I see this movie (which has probably been 8-10 times) I notice something new.

Tonight? There's a scene where Noah takes Allie to an old abandoned plantation home. He tells her he's gonna buy it someday and how he will fix it up. Allie coyly responds, "don't I get any say in this?" Noah says, "do you want a say in it?" And she proceeds to tell him in detail what she wants and makes him promise he'll do it. He quitely promises, with a hint of a smile. And you know what? Years later, when he works on the house, he does EXACTLY as he promised. He remembers the details and gives them to her, knowing she will be pleased.

What girl doesn't love that???? I actually got a little teary watching the scene, and it wasn't even one of the moments with sweet music in the background to really get you going. I'm not even going to blame it on pregnancy and hormones...I'm just secretly a romantic.

That Nicholas Sparks...he must have done extensive research with the women in his life before writing this one...

Some food for thought...

I read somewhere that when you're pregnant it's common to feel forgetful or "foggy" from time to time as blood flow is highly focused on your baby...brain gets deprived or something. I'm going to claim that! Despite my fogginess, I have had a few thoughts floating around in my mind...and then they run off again when I'm distracted by figuring out what to make for dinner that won't make me gag, what needs to be done around the house, etc.

I've been thinking about the fact that I feel like I'm wasting the time that the Lord has given me. I watch too much T.V. I get frazzled when I have too many things on my schedule, even if those things are good, like volunteering at the pregnancy help center or getting together with friends so our kids can play. And when I come across sites like www.jesussaidlove.com, I feel like even more of a slacker. Serving others doesn't have to be hard, or complicated, or even under the umbrella of an organized ministry that has a board to make its decisions.

How much do I really care about others? I heard a sermon one time that said if we want to know the answer to that, we should get out our checkbook. Ouch. How much do I really care about the suffering of others both here and around the world? Am I really willing to make sacrifices in order to meet needs? My cousin recently put an excerpt of an article on his blog that basically calls people out for being socially conscious on the surface, but not really sacrificing anything when the truth be told. You can check out the whole excerpt/article on his blog (ryan and sam in the margin) but this is the part that's been bouncing around in my mind:

"In other words: it is great when people begin to challenge the status quo as they pursue justice and mercy, but how excited should we be when it is very easy in our society to look, sound, and act radical without it costing anything?"

I'm passionate about urban ministry - I even worked at an inner city school for the last 5 years, but what am I doing to further support the families I have grown to love? I feel strongly about the need for loving ministry to women in crisis, but I only make it to the pregnancy center like once a month. I read a blog regularly of a rescue center in Haiti that is AMAZING, and often read about needs they have, but have I sent anything to them, or donated funds? Nope...I just read the blog, look at the pictures, and grieve...or thank the Lord for the family that runs the center and then feel like they are amazing and I'm not...but I don't move to action. Why don't I?

It's something I'm thinking about....

First Trimester Blues

What in the world? I don't remember feeling so out of it when I was pregnant with Lily, but then again I didn't have an energetic 18 month old to be responsible for either. I am fine, and I really shouldn't complain. I know lots of people get really sick and throw up all the time...THANK THE LORD I don't have that problem. I mean, I feel sick alot but that's where it ends. It's the lack of energy and motivation that's killing me. I mean today? accomplished nothing. Granted there was the threat of Tropical Storm Edouard (nice name!) which ended up being nothing but some rain...but Lily and I literally did nothing all day. I cleaned the kitchen, took a nap and sat on the couch. It's driving me nuts...but...I do know it will pass...so until then, here's another cute picture of Lily. We took the train ride at the Houston Zoo - fun but SUPER hot!

Mi Preciosa

This is my little one...at a bridal brunch for Val about a month ago, but this picture makes me laugh...She's a constant source of energy, messes, and abundant hugs and kisses. I love her mucho! Happy Monday....

Supastah

My sister in law has earned another gold star by her name. She already has many...and has gained many more since Lily was born 18 months ago...but today, she gets the mega star. SO...I'm pregnant again...oh yes! It's true! And we're very excited about this new little one that will be joining our family in March. However, for the time being the little precious is making me feel pretty crummy.

Meanwhile, my lovely Lily is trying to give up her morning nap but then is not taking a fabulous nap in the afternoon and that only gives me an hour to breathe and shower...and whatever else...like REST. So, today, I sent Justin a text telling him I was about to lose it...Lily was so tired she was like climbing the walls hyper and I couldn't do it anymore.

Not long after that, my superstar sister in law Julie calls to say she'd like to do something for me...why don't I let her come get Lily and keep her overnight...she'll bring her back tomorrow afternoon.

My response? Ugly crying and trying to say "thank you" and "okay, I would love that" all at once. Not one of my prettier moments.

So...the good news? I'm with child. The not so good? It's turned me into an emotional mess. Fortunately I know it will soon pass...

THANKS JULIE!!!!

HORRIFIED

Okay, so WARNING to my friends who read this. If you get a text message from a number you don't recognize, that looks like a forward from someone else, do not open it!!!!

I had an unpleasant surprise of some nasty porno slideshow pictures and after fumbling around for the right button, fortunately got it off my screen after picture number two which was MORE than enough for me. I quickly texted back to the number, something along the lines of "what in the world, do not send stuff like this to my phone! who is this??" and I got a reply of "idk." (i don't know? UGH!)

I know that pornography is rampant, and I don't consider myself to be in the dark about it, but do people seriously forward stuff like that to others like it's nothing? like a "hey, what's up thought you'd enjoy this?" it made my stomach hurt.

Careful out there, people!